Society of Professional Journalists
Minnesota Pro Chapter
Board of Directors meeting
March 19, 2008
WCCO-TV offices, Minneapolis
Members present: Joan Gilbertson, president; Dave Beal, treasurer; Scott Theisen, secretary; Art Hughes, past president; Amanda Lutz, Alyssa Ford, Sarah Bauer and Jeff Achen (via telephone), directors.
Gilbertson reported that director Don Davis is resigning from his position on the board due to his increased work schedule.
I. Treasurer’s Report
As of March 18 the chapter had a total of $37,639 spread between the three accounts– $17,129 in savings, $9,798 in checking and $10,712 in the CD. Outstanding claims of $1,000 that will flow through the chapter to the Silha Center from the SPJ National Ethics Week grant, $287.50 to reimburse Treasurer Beal for forum expenses (Dan Gillmor’s hotel expenses and a book), $57 for Gillmor’s transportation and $131.15 to Sarah Bauer for Page One expenses—total $1,475.65. Checks yet to be deposited: $1,040 from the Pioneer Press, $750 from the Star Tribune and $420 from WCCO—total $2,210. After these adjustments the overall total will be $38,375 not including interest or bank fees.
Income from Page One entries
We received 460 entries at $20 per entry, totaling $9,200. Between the counting room and the bank a value of $20 was misplaced, which Beal made up for by picking up Dan Gillmor’s dinner tab (expense from the online forum). Adding the $750 contribution from the Star Tribune in lieu of paying entry fees for employees brings the total to $9,930. This compares with 349 entries and a total of $6,980 last year. The increase in entries can be attributed to overhauling and expanding the category list as well as broad promotion, which attracted participation from 35 different news organizations. The new category for independent online organizations drew 38 entries from three organizations that have never competed in the contest before.
Forum expenses
The online forum expenses totaled about $800– $390 for Dan Gillmor’s air fare, $254.56 for his hotel and meals, $57 for local transportation, $33 for an online ethics book provided to MPR and a possible security expense incurred by MPR. This was offset by the $500 grant from SPJ national, leaving an expense of around $300.
Regional
The chapter has received checks from the Pioneer Press ($1,500) and the St. Cloud Times ($500) for the regional conference. The Mankato Free Press has also pledged $500 to be received yet. The money will flow though the chapter’s account on its way to the planners who are handling finances for the conference.
II. Programs
Regional- March 28-29 -Bloomington
Fundraising: The Pioneer Press, St. Cloud Times and Mankato Free Press have pledged money to help offset the expenses of the conference (see Treasurer’s Report).
Registration: Region 6 Director Gordon Govier is looking for volunteers to staff the registration table.
Ethics- Wartime Journalism – Thursday, April, 24
Bauer reported that Ed Wasserman of Washington and Lee University has been secured as the keynote speaker. A panel of local journalists that have covered the Iraq war will round out discussion. Panelists are being sought at this time.
Ethnic Training- Tuesday, April 29
The training will be for as many as 80 journalists that work for local ethnic media organizations. Hughes and others are working to promote the event, which is being coordinated by SPJ national and the training group from California.
A motion was made by director Bauer, seconded by director Ford, to spend up to $200 to provide refreshments for the ethnic media-training event. The motion passed 7-0.
Future Panels/other
Director Achen proposed the idea of selling DVD copies of video taped programs the chapter puts on. The sale of the videos could be used as a fundraiser and a way to share our programs. The board discussed the idea as a possibility that may be tested in the near future.
President Gilbertson suggested a future panel discussing the ethics of naming uncharged suspects. The practice of naming suspects has been the topic of debate in many newsrooms and would be a suitable discussion for one of our monthly programs. The board is interested in following up on the idea and plans to use the topic for a future event.
Republican National Convention
The board discussed ways to be involved in helping smooth potential access issues during the upcoming national convention. Board members will solicit concerns from colleagues to gauge whether there is a need for us to potentially act as a liaison between officials and members of media trying to gain access to information during the convention. The idea is to come up with a list of concerns journalists have and try to work out those concerns with officials before the convention to prevent problems with access.
III. Page One- Thursday, June 12
Byron Pitts, CBS News national correspondent, has been contacted about being the guest speaker at the awards banquet. At this time he thinks it is a possibility that he can speak at the banquet.
Popovich Award nominees
Director Ford is working on possible nominees.
Awards
Board members will be working on getting things in line for the trophies and award certificates.
Other
The board discussed the idea of preparing a PowerPoint presentation for the awards presentation. Possibly, the names and/or clips or graphics would be displayed on screen while the awards are being presented.
IV. Other business
Scholarship applications
Lutz reported that the scholarship committee has chosen two students from the group of 13 applicants for this year’s two scholarships.
A motion was made by director Ford, seconded by Treasurer Beal, to accept the recommendations of the scholarship committee. The motion passed 7-0.
A motion was made by director Lutz, seconded by President Gilbertson, for the chapter to pick up the Page One banquet registration fees for the two students. This keeps in tradition, as the scholarships are presented to the students at the Page One banquet. The vote passed 7-0.
Scripps Training
A motion was made by President Gilbertson, seconded by Treasurer Beal, to pay SPJ national $50 as a financial commitment to send a representative to the annual training program. The motion passed 7-0.
Secretary Theisen has been accepted by national and will attend the annual training program June 6-8 in Indianapolis.
Contest Judging
Board members divided up contest entries from other SPJ chapters to be judged and returned.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Monthly offices in Minneapolis.
The board adjourned on a motion by Theisen, seconded by Lutz.